PLA-6253, Application for Renewed Licenses, Follow-Up to Environmental Audit Document Requests for Supplemental Information

Application for Renewed Licenses, Follow-Up to Environmental Audit Document Requests for Supplemental Information

ML072200111
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	07/30/2007
From:	Mckinney B Susquehanna
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
PLA-6253, TAC MD3021, TAC MD3022
Download: ML072200111 (39)

Text

Brltt T. McKInney PPL Susquehanna, LLC Sr. Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer 769 Salem Boulevard P pi Berwick, PA 18603 Tel. 570.542.3149 Fax 570.542.1504 btmnckinney@pplweb.com U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Mail Stop OP1-17 Washington, DC 20555 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION APPLICATION FOR RENEWED OPERATING LICENSES NUMBERS NPF-14 AND NPF-22 FOLLOW-UP TO ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT DOCUMENT REQUESTS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Docket Nos. 50-387 PLA-6253 and 50-388 Reference. 1) Letterfrom Mr. A. L. Stuyvenberg (USNRC) to Mr. B. T. McKinney (PPL),

"EnvironmentalSite Audit RegardingSusquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 Nuclear Power PlantLicense Renewal Application (TAC NOS. MD3021 and MD3022), "dated April 18, 2007.

2) PLA-6219, Mr. B. T. McKinney (PPL)to Document Control Desk (USNRC),

"Applicationfor Renewed OperatingLicenses Numbers NPF-14 and NPF-22 EnvironmentalAudit Document Requests Supplemental Information,"

dated June 20, 2007.

The attachment to this letter is a copy of the document "Environmental Studies in the Vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station - 2006 Water Quality and Fishes,"

originally requested in Reference 1 as Document Request 56. This document is provided as a follow-up to PPL's response in Reference 2.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Duane L Filchner at (610) 774-7819.

Attachment:

"Environmental Studies in the Vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station - 2006 Water Quality and Fishes" Copy: NRC Region I Ms. E. H. Gettys, NRC Project Manager, License Renewal, Safety Mr. R. V. Guzman, NRC Sr. Project Manager Mr. R. Janati, DEP/BRP Mr. F. W. Jaxheimer, NRC Sr. Resident Inspector Mr. A. L. Stuyvenberg, NRC Project Manager, License Renewal, Environmental xo~i

Attachment to PLA-6253 Environmental Studies in the Vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station 2006 Water Quality and Fishes

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 2006 WATER QUALITY AND FISHES Preparedby Ecology III, Inc.

Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory 804 Salem Boulevard Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603 For PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA .18603-0467 July 2007

CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 WATER QUALITY by Lyle R. Harvey and Sharon A. Harrall ...................................... 2 Procedures ........................................................................................................... 2 Results and Discussion ................................................................................... 3 River Flow and Temperature ....................................... 3 River W ater Q uality at the Susquehanna SES ....................................... 4 Control and Indicator Site Com parisons ................................................ 5 Conclusion ..................................................................................... ................. 6 FISHES by Brian P. M angan ..................................................................................... 7 Procedures ...................................................................................................... 7 Electrofishing ........................................................................................ 7 Seining ................................................................................................. 8 Statistical Analysis ................................................................................. 8 Results and Discussion ................................................................................. 9 Electrofishing ........................................................................................ 9 Seining ............................................................................................... 10 BACI Results: Electrofishing .............................................................. 11 BACI Results: Seining ...................................................................... 12 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 13 i

LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1 Daily mean flow (cfs) of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory, 2006 .......................... 17 Table 2 Daily mean temperature (C) of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory, 2006 ......................... 18 Table 3 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection specific water quality criteria for the Susquehanna River in the vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, 2006 ............ ........ 19 Table 4 Water quality data collected quarterly from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 2006 ...................................... 20 Table 5 Total iron concentrations from the Susquehanna River at the SSES sampling site, 1975-2006 ................................. 22 Table 6 Comparison of total mineral solids (tms) concentrations from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 2006 ..... 23 Table 7 Comparison of annual average total mineral solids (tms) concentrations from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 19 9 1-2 0 06 ........................................................................................ . . . 23 Table 8 Descriptions of electrofishing (EL) and seining (SN) sites at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006 .................................... 24 Table 9 Fish species that were observed while electrofishing or collected by seining at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006 ..... 25 Table 10 Number, mean, and percent total of fish observed while electrofishing at SSES on the Susquehanna River, 2006 ................... 26 Table 11 Number, mean, and percent total of fish observed while electrofishing at Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006 ............. 27 Table 12 Number, mean, and percent total of fish captured by seining at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006 ...................... 28 Table 13 P-values for fish species deemed significant by the BACI analysis, 19 7 6 -2 0 0 6 ......................................................................................... . . 29 ii

LIST OF FIGURES Page Fig. 1 Sampling sites for water quality, electrofishing (EL), and seining (SN) at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006 ....................... 30 Fig. 2 The 2006 monthly mean flow of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory compared to the 45-year (196 1-2005) m ean ............................................................................ 31 Fig. 3 Volume of Susquehanna River flow at the Susquehanna SES Environm ental Laboratory, 1961-2006 ...................................................... 31 Fig. 4 Linear regression analysis of total mineral solids measurements at SSES vs. Bell Bend (BB) on the Susquehanna River, 1991-2006 ........... 32 Fig. 5 Negative curvilinear relationships between river flow and measurements of total mineral solids at SSES and Bell Bend (BB) on the Susquehanna R iver, 199 1-2006 .................................................................................... 33 Wo,

INTRODUCTION PPL Susquehanna, LLC (PPL) contracted Ecology III, Inc. to conduct nonradiological monitoring of the Susquehanna River in the vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (Susquehanna SES) in 2006. The Susquehanna SES is a nuclear power station with two boiling water reactors, each with a net electrical generating capacity of approximately 1,220 megawatts. It is located on a 1,700-acre site in Salem Township, Luzerne County, 5 miles northeast of Berwick, Pennsylvania. Approximately 700 acres of mostly undeveloped and recreational lands owned by PPL are located on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Conyngham and Hollenback Townships. PPL owns 90 percent of the station and the Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. owns 10 percent.

The objective of the nonradiological environmental monitoring program is to assess the impact of operating the Susquehanna SES on the Susquehanna Riverwater quality and relative abundance of fishes. This was accomplished in 2006 by comparing data at control and indicator stations and by evaluating results of preoperational (1971-1982) and operational (1983-2006) studies (Ichthyological Associates 1972-1985, Ecology III 1986-2007). Monitoring was done at sites within a control station (SSES) upriver from the Susquehanna SES river intake structure and indicator station (Bell Bend) downriver from the discharge diffuser.

To more objectively assess the impact of operating the Susquehanna SES on the Susquehanna River, a statistical procedure called BACI (Before-After:Control-Impact) analysis was applied to preoperational and operational fishes monitoring data.

This report presents results of water quality and fishes studies.

WATER QUALITY PROCEDURES Water quality of the Susquehanna River relative to operation of the Susquehanna SES was monitored throughout 2006 at two control sites, the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory and SSES; and one indicator site, Bell Bend. River flow and temperature were monitored continuously at the Environmental Laboratory located on the west river bank, 1,620 feet upriver from the nuclear power plant river intake. The SSES river site is located 750 feet upriver from the intake. The Bell Bend river site is 2,260 feet downriver from the blowdown discharge (Fig. 1).

A cooling tower blowdown sample and SSES and Bell Bend river samples were collected quarterly in 2006. These samples were analyzed by the Chemical Laboratory at the PPL System Facilities Center, Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured by Ecology Ill. Blowdown is river water used in the nuclear power plant cooling cycle and is discharged back to the river. It has high conductivity and dissolved solids concentrations because of evaporative loss in the cooling towers (13,000 gallons/minute/tower evaporation during operation). In 2006, the daily average blowdown ranged from 4.4 to 17.3 cubic feet per second (cfs). Blowdown samples have been collected as part of this program since 1991. They were originally collected at the Susquehanna SES sewage treatment plant automatic composite sampler (ACS; location code 6S7). Since November 1996, they have been collected at the 2S7 ACS (6S7 ACS is

a backup site). The 2S7 ACS site is about 750 feet downstream from the cooling tower basin and the 6S7 ACS site is about 2,130 feet farther down the blowdown line (Fig. 1).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION River Flow and Temperature In 2006, Susquehanna River flow was above average in January, February, and June through November (Fig. 2). The annual precipitation at Avoca, PA (about 30 miles upriver from the Susquehanna SES) was 45.56 inches. This was the third highest annual total on record since 1955, and closely follows the highest total (49.45 inches) set in 2003.

Monthly precipitation was above average for January, June, and August through November. January precipitation was 1.8 inches above normal, but February through May precipitation was 3.9 inches below normal. This changed in June with 9.00 inches of precipitation, making it the wettest June on record with the greatest 24-hour (25-26 June) total of 3.20 inches. From 24 through 28 June, 7.10 of the record 9.00 inches fell, causing the river to flood in late June and early July. The summer (June-August) precipitation total of 16.42 inches was the third greatest since 1955. The precipitation remained above average from August through November. November, with 6.06 inches, was the second wettest November on record.

There were 20 occurrences in 2006 when daily mean river flow exceeded 50,000 cfs. Daily mean river flow ranged from 3,000 to 191,000 cfs (Table 1). The 191,000 cfs was a result of the record rainfall in June. The July and November monthly mean flows were the highest recorded for those respective months in our 46-year database. The January and June flows were the second highest, only January 1996 and June 1972 were

higher. An estimated 643 billion cubic feet of water passed by the Environmental Laboratory in 2006 (Fig. 3). This was the sixth highest flow in the last 46 years.

River temperature was monitored throughout the year. River temperature ranged from 0.3 C at 0500 hours0.00579 days <br />0.139 hours <br />8.267196e-4 weeks <br />1.9025e-4 months <br /> on 4 March to 29.3 C at 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br /> on 3 August. Daily mean river temperature ranged from 0.8 C on 3 and 4 March to 28.7 C on 3 August (Table 2).

Monthly mean temperature was above average every month except June, September, and October. The monthly mean temperature for January and April were the warmest recorded for those respective months in our 32-year database. December was the second warmest, only December 2001 was warmer.

River Water Quality at the Susquehanna SES Control and indicator data were compared to PADEP water quality criteria (2005;.

Table 3). The parameters encompassed by the criteria were alkalinity, ammonia nitrogen, chloride, dissolved oxygen, fluoride, total and dissolved iron, manganese, nitrate, pH, sulfate, temperature, and total dissolved solids. Data for all parameters fell within the criteria for the year at both the control and indicator river sites (Table 4).

The basic quality of this section of the Susquehanna River continues to improve.

The most significant change noticed in this water quality program has been the decrease of total iron in the Susquehanna River (Table 5). The source of iron to the riveris drainage from abandoned coalmines in northeast Pennsylvania. In the 1980's concentrations began to decrease. Of the 59 samples collected in the 1970's only 34% met the criterion. In the 1980's and 90's, 56% of 119 samples and 85% of 95 samples met the criterion,

respectively. Of the 24 samples collected in the past 6 years, 92% have met the criterion.

The annual mean concentration of total iron has been <1.5 mg/L since 1994.

Control and Indicator Site Comparisons Control and indicator water quality data were similar in many respects. Data for sulfate and total mineral solids (tms) were usually slightly higher at the indicator site than the control site in a majority of samples (Table 4). Higher values at the indicator site are possibly due in part to the high concentrations of solids in the blowdown. Most of the water taken from the river for plant operation is evaporated in the cooling process and the remaining cooling water returned to the river subsequently contains concentrated mineral solids. This relationship is suggested in the quarterly tms samples collected at SSES, Bell Bend, and the blowdown (Table 6). However, when linear regression analysis was used to discover the best predictor of tms at Bell Bend, it was clear that the SSES tins measurements accounted for greater than 99% of the variability in the tms measurements at Bell Bend, indicating little influence of the power plant discharge on Bell Bend tms samples (Fig. 4).

The dilutive effect of high river flow decreases tms values at the control and indicator sites (Fig. 5). In 2006, the measured tms at the Bell Bend indicator site was within 1.5 mg/L of the SSES samples (Table 6). Since 1991, the average tms at Bell Bend has exceeded SSES by 3.4 mg/L (Table 7). However, a Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test indicated that the difference in the median values between the two sites was not statistically different (P=0.86).

Conclusion Susquehanna River flow was above average in 2006; it was the sixth highest flow in the last 46 years. Control and indicator data were similar throughout the year. Indicator data relative to the mineral concentrations in the Susquehanna SES blowdown were somewhat higher. The higher indicator values were within PADEP criteria for the river.

FISHES PROCEDURES Electrofishing Electrofishing samples were collected once each month in May, July, and October in 2006. High water during some months decreased the number of samples from five to three samples this year. Sampling was done at four sites, and each site was approximately 1,100-yards long and parallel to the river shoreline. These sites have been consistently sampled by boat electrofishing since 1976. Two sites were located upriver from the Susquehanna SES river intake structure along each bank of the river, and two sites were downriver from the intake (referred to as SSES and Bell Bend locations, respectively; Table 8, Fig. 1).

Our electrofishing boat was operated with a 5-KW generator (direct current) controlled by a variable-voltage pulsator. The electrofishing unit was outfitted on an 18-foot flat-bottomed boat, similar to the design of Novotny and Priegel (1974). In the interest of continuity, this same electrofishing unit has been used since the inception of the sampling program.

During sampling, the boat was driven parallel to the shoreline usually within 30 feet of the riverbank. For purposes of safety and sampling efficiency, all sampling was done at river levels less than 493.1 feet above mean sea level (msl; equivalent to 10.1 feet) as measured at the Environmental Laboratory. Electrofishing was done only in the evening and sampling began about one hour after sunset. Two observers stood in the bow of the

boat and identified and counted fish during each sample. Data were recorded using a cassette tape recorder.

Seining Shoreline fishes were collected by seine during August and October. Sampling was done when river levels were less than 490.2 feet above msl (equivalent to 7.2 feet at the Environmental Lab). High water prevented seining in June. Similar to the electrofishing sampling sites, two seine sites were above the Susquehanna SES river intake structure along each shoreline and two were below (Table 8, Fig. 1).

To sample, one end of a 25-foot bag seine (0.25-inch mesh) was kept stationary on the riverbank while we extended the other end about 20 feet into the river or as far as depth of the water allowed. The seine was then pulled upriver and onto shore. Two hauls were made in the same location at each site and the catches from both hauls were combined and considered one unit of effort. Captured fish were placed in 10% formalin in the field and returned to the laboratory. After at least two weeks in the formalin, the fish were rinsed with water, identified, enumerated, and finally preserved in 40% isopropanol.

Statistical Analysis A statistical analysis known as the Before-After: Control-Impact (BACI), was applied to the electrofishing (1976-2006) and seining data (1978-2006; Ecology III, Inc. 1990).

Twenty species or categories of fish were analyzed from the electrofishing data, as were 12 species from the seining data. These species or groups were chosen based on their abundance during the years before Susquehanna SES operation.

Two different electrofishing data sets were analyzed. The first set included all months sampled by electrofishing through the years, and is referred to as the All-Data Set.

The second set, named the Summer-Data Set, included only the months from June through October, to reflect the reduced monitoring effort in place since 1986. The seining data set analyzed by the BACI represents all of the months sampled by this method through the years.

Additionally, in 1990 Williams and Th6rarinsson recommended that the BACI analyses eventually be re-run to use February 1985 as the beginning of operation data.

This reflects the time period between startup of Unit 1 (September 1982) and Unit 2 (February 1985), and replaces the existing beginning date of September 1982. For the purposes of this report, the electrofishing data sets were analyzed using both the traditional September 1982 date, as well as the extended time period (the 19 months between the startup dates were not used in the second BACI analysis).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Electrofishing Electrofishing at the SSES and Bell Bend locations in 2006 resulted in the observation of 533 fish of 17 species (Tables 9 through 11). The total numbers of fish collected above and below the SSES intake and discharge for the year were generally similar, as were most of the monthly totals. The range of sample sizes (differences between minima and maxima) among the months at SSES was 83 fish, while the range at Bell Bend was 109. Maximum monthly sample sizes occurred during May at both SSES (131) and Bell Bend (160).

Smallmouth bass was the most abundant species observed at SSES and Bell Bend in 2006 (25% and 42% of the totals, respectively). Smallmouth bass and walleye together represented 45% of the fish observed at SSES and 62% of those at Bell Bend.

Smallmouth bass was the most abundant species during most months at both SSES and Bell Bend, with the exception of the May sample at SSES where walleye was the most abundant species.

Fifteen species were observed at both SSES and Bell Bend this year. Species richness per month ranged from 9 to 12 at SSES and 8 to 13 at Bell Bend. Maximum species richness at SSES and Bell Bend occurred in May (12 and 13 species, respectively). Sucker and sunfish species dominated richness in all months during 2006.

Seining Seining at the SSES and Bell Bend locations in 2006 resulted in the capture of 670 fish of 10 species (Tables 9 and 12). Spotfin shiner was the most abundant species captured at SSES (65%), and equally abundant with spottail shiner at Bell Bend (49%).

Spotfin shiner and spottail shiner comprised 94% and 99% of the fishes collected at SSES and Bell Bend, respectively.

Similar to previous years, the number of fishes captured at SSES was a fraction (36%) of those collected at Bell Bend. This difference in fish numbers was largely accounted for in the October sample where more than four times the number of fishes were captured at Bell Bend than were captured at SSES. This may reflect the growing disparity between the upriver and downriver sites, particularly the SSES location on the west bank of the river. In the past few years, the SSES West site has become overgrown

with vegetation, including the exotic invasive plant, purple loosestrife. Thick vegetation during higher water levels at this site sometimes presents obstacles that can affect sampling efficiency. Furthermore, it is also the deepest of the four sites.

Eight species were collected at SSES and five species were captured at Bell Bend.

Five species were observed in most months at both sites. At both stations, species in the minnow and sunfish families predominated.

BACI Results: Electrofishing Of the 20 species or categories of fish that were tested with the BACI analysis with the 1982 operational start date, nine species from the All-Data and eight species from the Summer-Data set showed significant or marginally significant differences in the numbers of fishes above versus below the power plant discharge (P<0.10, Table 13). Species in the All-Data set that indicated declines in their numbers at the downstream locations included quillback, white sucker, northern hog sucker, shorthead redhorse, muskellunge, rock bass, smallmouth bass, and unidentified fish. Brown bullhead was also significantly different.

However, its numbers showed significant increase at Bell Bend compared to the upriver sites. The Summer-Data set demonstrated decline or increase in all of the same species, except white sucker.

Changing the time period demarcating preoperational and operational data from 1982 to 1985 made little difference in the outcome of the BACI analysis. Both data sets indicated the same basic differences between upriver versus downriver fish numbers.

BACI Results: Seining The results of the 12 seined species tested by BACI analysis indicated that spotfin shiner were marginally significant in both the 1982 operational data set and the 1985 data set (P=0.09). The point estimates for these test results indicate that more spotfins were collected at the downriver sites. Additionally, rock bass showed marginal significance in the 1985 operational data set (P=0.08), indicating fewer specimens at the downriver locations.

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Table 1 Daily mean flow (cfs) of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory, 2006.

DATE JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 1 38000 28800 7120 8470 14900 8470 94200 17200 35900 18200 40200 14400 2 32600 30600 7120 8470 13500 10300 80400 15300 21300 16700 31900 19200 3 33200 30600 6490 8470 11900 18700 67600 11900 18700 14000 28100 22300 4 38700 38000 6490 9180 10700 30600 43100 9540 52600 12300 24600 22300 5 38700 47800 6180 9540 9540 50200 33200 8470 41600 11500 21800 19700 6 36600 58600 6490 10700 8820 41600 28800 8120 24600 10300 19200 17200 7 33900 50200 6490 10700 8470 31300 23500 8820 17200 10300 17200 15300 8 28100 39500 6180 11500 8120 24000 19700 9540 14000 .10300 16200 14000 9 24000 32600 5880 11500 7780 19200 18200 7780 12300 9180 17700 12300

• 10 20700 26900 5880 13100 6800 17700 16700 6490 11100 8120 16700 11900 11 20200 23500 6490 12300 6490 18200 14900 5880 9540 7450 16200 11.500 12 21800 21300 12300 11100 6490 17700 14000 5020 8470 6800 16200 10700 13 25200 19700 16200 9910 8120 17700 16200 5020 7450 6490 28100 10300 14 31300 17700 18700 9180 11500 15800 20700 4480 7120 5880 33900 10300 15 43900 16200 43900 9180 11900 13500 24000 4210 8120 5880 28800 9910 16 56800 14900 47000 11100 11900 11900 20700 3960 10700 5880 31300 9910 17 44600 14400 37300 12300 12300 10700 16200 3710 14000 5590 92000 9910 18 46200 14900 27500 11500 11500 9910 13100 3230 13100 6180 116000 9540 19 103000 16200 22.900 10300 11100 882.0 11100 3000 11100 6800 87700 8820 20 97500 15300 19200 9180 10700 8120 9910 3000 9180 8120 64800 8820 21 73400 13100 16200 8120 *11500 8120 8470 3000 7780 34600 48500 8470 22 56800 11500 14400 8120 11500 8470 9540 6180 6490 61200 38700 8120 23 45400 10700 13100 14000 10300 7780 14000 7780 5880 48500 33900 8470 24 .38700 10300 11900 22300 10300 7120 20700 6180 5880 35900 31300 10300 25 33900 9910 11500 33900 9910 7120 21800 5020 5590 26900 26300 11900 26 28100 9540 11100 35900 9180 11900 18200 4210 5300 21300 24000 14000 27 24600 8820 11100 28800 8120 17200 14000 4210 5300 18200 21300 17700 28 20700 8120 11100 22300 7780 189000a 11500 7450 5300 22300 19200 23500 29 19700 10300 18200 7780 191 QO0a 10300 13500 7780 37300 17700 21300 30 19700 9910 15800 8470 115000 12300 19200 11500 49300 15300 18200 31 21800 9180 9180 17700 46200 48500 16200 MEAN 38600 22800 14400 13800 9890 31600 24000 8630 13800 19000 34200 13800 aCalculated from U.S. Geological Survey data.

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Table 2 Daily mean temperature (C) of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental. Laboratory, 2006.

DATE JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 1 2.0 3.1 1.4 11.1 14.3 25.0 20.7 27.3 19.9 15.6 8.8 9.5 2 2.1 3.1 1.3 11.8 15.0 24.8 21.0 27.9 19.2 15.4 9.2 9.5 3 2.6 3.7 0.8 11.7 15.7 23.3 21.5 28.7 18.8 15.6 8.6 8.3 4 2.8 4.3 0.8 11.3 16.5 20.5 22.1 28.5 17.9 16.2 7.7 6.9 5 3.1 4.5 1.3 10.7 17.8 18.3 22.3 27.8 17.6 16.5 7.2 5.7 6 3.2 4.0 2.1 10.3 18.2 18.3 22.4 27.4 18.0 15.7 6.9 4.9 7 2.7 . 3.5 2.6 9.7 17.6 18.6 22.4 27.0 18.6 14.8 6.9 4.5 8 2.5 2.9 3.2 9.0 17.5 18.4 22.4 26.6 19.5 14.7 7.4 3.1 9 2.5 2.4 4.1 8.3 17.5 18.4 22.8 26.2 20.3 15.4 8.5 2.0 10 2.9 1.9 5.6 8.8 18.0 18.2 23.1 25.8 20.5 16.2 9.0 2.0 11 3.3 1.7 7.0 9.8 18.5 17.6 24.0 .25.5 19.9 16.4 .9.4 2.5 12 3.9 1.6 7.1 11.0 18.4 17.5 24.6 24.8 19.6 16.2 9.9 3.3 13 4.2 1.3 7.4 12.2 18.8 17.8 24.3 24.4 19.2 14.4 9.2 4.2 14 5.1 1.5 8.0 12.7 18.6 18.7 24.5 24.3 18.4 13.4 9.0 4.8 15 3.8 2.0 6.4 13.3 17.6 19.0 24.7 25.0 18.4 12.1 9.2 .5.3 16 . 2.2 2.9 5.2 14.2 16.7 19.6 24.7 25.2 18.7 11.6 10.1 5.6 17 1.1 4.0 4.6 14.3 16.6 20.7 25.8 25.5 19.2 11.5 11.8 5.6 18 1.8 3.6 4.3 14.8 17.1 22.3 26.9 25.7 19.9 12.2 11.1 6.0 19 1.9 2.1 3.8 15.4 16.6 23.8 27.4 25.3 20.4 13.1 10.1 5.7 20 1.9 1.7 3..6 16.1 15.9 24.4 27.9 25.7 19.6 13.6 9.1 5.1 21 2.5 1.7 3.5 16.6 15.4 24.5 28.2 25.7 18.7 12.6 8.0 4.9 22 . 2.8 1.8 3.3 15.5 14.9 24.9 27.1 25.5 18.2 11.3 7.0 4.6 23 2.7 2.2 3.6 13.1 14.6 25.2 26.4 25.5 18.3 10.6 6.5 5.1 24 2.8 2.2 3.7 12.7 15.3 24.8 25.2 25.1 18.4 9.8 6.2 5.6 25 2.9 2.1 3.9 13.0 16.0 24.5 24.6 24.5 18.7 9.2 6.0. 5.2 26 2.4 1.9 4.4 12.0 16.3 24.0 25.1 23.9 18.4 9.0 5.8 5.2 27 .1.7 1.1 5.1 11.6 17.4 23.4 25.8 22.9 18.2 8.2 5.9 4.9 28 1.7 1.0 6.1 12.2 18.8 -- ~ 25.7 22.4 18.1 8.4 6.2 4.4 29 1.9 7.3 12.8 20.3 m- 25.8 22.5 17.8 8.1 6.9 4.2 30 2.5 8.5 13.5 22.1 20.5 26.6 21.8 16.4 7.8 7.9 4.3 31 3.2 9.8 23.8 27.1 20.8 8.1 4.1 MEAN 2.7 2.5 4.5 12.3 17.3 21.3 24.6 25.3 18.8 12.7 8.2 5.1 a Equipment failure

Table 3 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection specific water quality criteria for the Susquehanna River in the vicinity of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, 2006.

PARAMETER UNIT PERIOD CRITERIA AVERAGE Minimum Maximum Alkalinity as CaCO3 mg/L 20 Ammonia Nitrogen mg/L 4.56 Chloride mg/L 250 Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 4.0 Daily Average 5.0 Fluoride mg/L Daily 2.0 Iron Total mg/L 30-Day 1.5 Dissolved mg/L 0.3 Manganese mg/L 1.0 ug/L 1000 Nitrite plus Nitrate as N mg/L 10 pH 6.0 9.0 Sulfate mg/L 250 Temperature C January 1-31 4.4 February 1-29 4.4 March 1-31 7.8 April 1-15 11.1 April 16-30 14.4 May 1-15 17.8 May 16-31 22.2 June 1-15 26.7 June 16-30 28.9 July 1-31 30.6 August 1-15 30.6 August 16-31 30.6 September 1-15 28.9 September1 6-30 25.6 October 1-15 22.2 October 16-31 18.9 November 1-15 14.4 November 16-30 10.0 December 1-31 5.6 Total Dissolved Solids mg/L Monthly 750 500

Table 4 Water quality data collected quarterly from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 2006. River sites were SSES (control) and Bell Bend (indicator). Analyses were performed by the PPL Chemical Laboratory, Hazleton, PA.

N.D. = Not Detected BLOW BELL BLOW BELL PARAMETER UNITS SSES DOWN BEND SSES DOWN BEND Date 2/23/2006 2/23/2006 2/23/2006 5/18/2006 5/18/2006 5/18/2006 Time 845 733 851 722 832 716 River level ft 489.4 489.6

.Temperature C 2 18.8 2 16.1 19.8 15.7 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.8 7.3 12.8 10.2 8.2 10.5 pH, lab 7.61 8.8 7.64 8.04 8.93 7.98 Conductivity, lab I~mho 248 932 248 243 874 243 Total alkalinity mg/L 56 223 56 62 230 61 Phenolphthalein alkalinity mg/L 0.0 14.0 0.0 0.0 16.0 0.0 Total suspended solids mg/L 4.3 27.3 4 8 32 7 Ammonia as N mg/L <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 Silicon dioxide mg/L 3.9 15.4 3.9 0.2 2.3 0.2 Bicarbonate as CaCO3 mg/L 68.3 238 68.3 75.6 242 74.4 Carbonate by calculation mg/L 0 16.8 0 0 19.2 0 Chloride mg/L 23.1 105 23.2 22.6 99.7 22.7

• Fluoride mg/L 0.05 0.21 0.06 0.06 0.21 0.06 Nitrate as N03 mg/L 3.4 15.4 3.4 1.2 5.4 1.3 Nitrate ion as N mg/L 0.8 3.5 0.8 0.3 1.2 0.3 Phosphorus as P04 mg/L 0.092 3.006 0.092 0.135 3.175 0.147 Sulfate mg/L 23.7 97.5 23.7 21.6 87 21.7 Aluminum, dissolved ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <100 N.D.

Aluminum, total ug/L <100 533 <100 104 378 110 Barium, total ug/L 25 110 25 30 105 30 Calcium, dissolved mg/L 25.9 103 25.6 24.4 93.1 24.3 Calcium, total mg/L 25.6 105 25.5 24.3 93.3 24.3 Copper, dissolved ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. <20 <20 N.D.

Copper, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <20 N.D.

Iron, dissolved mg/L 0.17 0.39 0.18 0.07 0.31 0.06 Iron, total mg/L 0.56 2.48 0.55 0.51 1.76 0.5 Magnesium, dissolved mg/L 5.56 21.4 5.49 5.15 19.9 5.15 Magnesium, total mg/L 5.52 21.8 5.49 5.19 20.1 5.18 Manganese, dissolved ug/L 88 30 92 26 36 23 Manganese, total ug/L 95 159 94 113 347 112 Nickel, total ug/L N.D. <10 N.D. N.D. <10. N.D.

Potassium, dissolved mg/L 1.13 4.78 1.07 1.28 5.33 1.26 Potassium, total mg/L 1.1 4.87 1.08 1.31 5.4 1.29 Silver, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Sodium, dissolved mg/L 13.3 59.6 13.3 13 57.4 13.1 Sodium, total mg/L 13.3 60.1 13.2 12.9 57.1 12.9 Strontium, total ug/L 88 335 88 79 321 79 Vanadium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Zinc, dissolved ug/L <20 N.D. <20 <20 N.D. <20 Zinc, total ug/L N.D. <20 N.D. N.D. <20 N.D.

Beryllium, total ug/L N.D. <0 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Cadmium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Chromium, total ug/L N.D. <10 N.D. N.D. <10 N.D.

Lead, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <5 N.D.

Thallium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Arsenic, total ug/L <1.0 1.9 <1.0 <1.0 2.2 <1.0 Selenium, total ug/L N.D. <2.0 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Antimony, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Total mineral solids mg/L 133.55 556.06 133.17 126.68 508.06 126.29 Calcium hardness (C) mg/L 64.7 257.2 63.9 60.9 232.5 60.7 Total hardness (C) mg/L 86.7 352 86.3 82 316 82

Table 4 (cont.)

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BLOW BELL BLOW BELL PARAMETER UNITS SSES DOWN BEND SSES DOWN BEND Date 8/16/2006 8/16/2006 8/16/2006 11/16/2006 11/16/2006 11/16/2006 Time 609 719 615 725 845 730 River level ft 487.4 493.3 Temperature C 23.80 25.20 23.70 9.50 24.70 9.50 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 7.50 7.40 7.40 10.70 8.10 10.90 pH, lab 7.9 8.71 7.88 7.72 8.91 7.70 Conductivity, lab limho 366 1030 366 172 733 173 Total alkalinity mg/L 94 218 94 44 201 46 Phenolphthalein alkalinity mg/L 0.0 10.0 0.0 0.0 15.0 0.0 Total suspended solids mg/L 7.6 27.3 6.4 14.0 84.0 15,2 Ammonia as N mg/L <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 Silicon dioxide mg/L 3.77 .11.06 3.69 4.69 18.73 4.75 Bicarbonate as CaCO3 mg/L 94.0 198 94.0 44.0 171 46.0 Carbonate by calculation mg/L 0.0 12.0 0.0 -- ° ..--

Chloride mg/L 30.5 98.6 31.4 13.4 72.8 13.3 Fluoride mg/L 0.09 0.23 0.11 0.06 0.22 0.07 Nitrate as N03 mg/L 1.8 5;9 1.8 2.0 9.4 2.0 Nitrate ion as N mg/L 0.4 1.3 0.4 0.4 2.1 0.4 Phosphorus as P04 mg/L 0.104 2.929 0.101 0.353 4.175 0.310 Sulfate mg/L 35.7 185 35.8 14.8 9.4 15.1 Aluminum, dissolved ug/L N.D. <100 N.D. N.D. <100 N.D.

Aluminum, total ug/L 124 489 113 308 1860 338 Barium, total ug/L 34 113 34 25 112 24 Calcium, dissolved mg/L 38.5 120 38.7 19.1 85.9 19.2 Calcium, total mg/L 38.5 120 38.8 19.0 88.8 18.9 Copper, dissolved ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <20 N.D.

Copper, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <20 N.D.

Iron, dissolved mg/L 0.07 0.17 0.07 0.11 0.37 0.11 Iron, total mg/L 0.61 1.87 0.59 0.81. 4.59 0.86 Magnesium, dissolved mg/L 8.52 25.7 8.53 3.82 16.9 3.86 Magnesium, total mg/L 8.56 25.8 8.60 3.89 18.0 3.84 Manganese, dissolved ug/L 48 28 44 37 41 34 Manganese, total ug/L 120 274 118 53 250 55 Nickel, total ug/L N.D. <10 <10 <10 <10 N.D.

Potassium, dissolved mg/L 1.69 5.64 1.68 1.50 6.13 1.42 Potassium, total mg/L 1.73 5.68 1.72 1.54 6.34 1.38 Silver, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Sodium, dissolved mg/L 18.8 59.3 18.7 8.60 45.3 8.64 Sodium, total mg/L 18.7 59.3 18.7 8.48 46.3 8.45 Strontium, total ug/L. 152 450 152 56 280 55 Vanadium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D: N.D. <10 N.D.

Zinc, dissolved ug/L <20 N.D. N.D. <20 <20 <20 Zinc, total ug/L N.D. <20 N.D. <20 24 <20 Beryllium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Cadmium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Chromium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. <10 N.D.

Lead, total ug/L N.D. ND. N.D. N.D. <5 N.D.

Thallium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Arsenic, total ug/L <1.0 2.8 <1.0 <1.0 3.2 <1.0 Selenium, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Antimony, total ug/L N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

Total mineral solids mg/L 195.74 642.13 196.79 94.28 385.13 95.78 Calcium hardness (C) mg/L 96.1 299.6 96.6 47.7 *214.5 47.9 Total hardness (C) mg/L 131 406 132 63,5 296 63.0

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Table 5 Total iron concentrations from the Susquehanna River at the SSES sampling site, 1975-2006.

Samples were collected monthly from 1975 through 1996 and quarterly from 1997 through 2006.

Analyses were performed by the PPL Chemical Laboratory, Hazleton, PA.

NO. SAMPLES NO. SAMPLES  % SAMPLES YEAR Collected <1.50 mg/L <1.50 mg/L ANNUAL MEAN 1975 12 2 16.7 3.55 1976 12 3 25.0 3.08 1977 11 5 45.5 1.71 1978 12 5 41.7 1.48 1979 12 5 41.7 3.13 1980 12 5 41.7 1.74 1981 12 9 75.0 1.31 1982 12 7 58.3 2.37 1983 11 6 54.5 1.41 1984 12 4 33.3 1.71 1985 12 5 41.7 1.61 1986 12 7 58.3 1.82 1987 12 8 66.7 1.96 1988 12 7 58.3 1.28 1989 12 9 75.0 1.45 1990 12 10 83.3 1.41 1991 12 10 83.3 0.98 1992 12 12 100.0 0.92 1993 12 8 66.7 1.55 1994 11 8 72.7 1.46 1995 12 12 100.0 0.89 1996 12 9 75.0 1.42 1997 4 4 100.0 0.55 1998 4 4 100.0 0.65 1999 4 4 100.0 0.60 2000 4 4 100.0 0.70 2001 4 4 100.0 0.74 2002 4 4 100*0 0.62 2003 4 3 75.0 1.43 2004 4 3 75.0 0.94 2005 4 4 100.0 0.57 2006 4 4 100.0 0.62

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Table 6 Comparison of total mineral solids (tins) concentrations from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 2006. River sites were SSES (control) and Bell Bend (indicator).

DATE SSES BLOWDOWN BELL BEND DIFFERENCE Flow tms Flow tms tms SSES - BELL BEND (cfs) (mg/L) (cfs) (mg/L) (mg/L) tins (mg/L) 23 Feb 10700 133.6 7.7 556.1 133.2 0.4 18 May 11500 126.7 11.9 508.1 126.3 0.4 16 Aug 3960 195.7 17.3 642.1 196.8 -1.0 16 Nov 31300 94.3 9.3 385.1 95.8 -1.5 Table 7 Comparison of annual average total mineral solids (tins) concentrations from the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna SES blowdown, 1991-2006. River sites were SSES (control) and Bell Bend (indicator).

DATE. SSES BLOWDOWN BELL BEND DIFFERENCE Flow tms Flow tms tms SSES - BELL BEND (cfs) (mg/L) (cfs) (mg/L) (mg/L) tms (mg/L) 1991 12600 197.3 14.6 711.8 203.7 -6.4 1992 13400 155.3 7.5 600.3 156.4 -1.1 1993 23700 202.8 13.1 636.2 204.4 -1.6 1994 19200 174.9 13.9 660.9 175.3 -0.4 1995 10200 196.7 12.9 643.9 198.8 -2.1 1996 24000 151.8 19.5 438.4 152.6 -0.8 1997 6490 239.0 16.9 787.7 248.6 -9.6 1998 11200 242.2 19.2 649.3 247.9 -5.7 1999 19300 181.6 14.8 594.8 182.8 -1.2 2000 15000 190.6 15.8 632.7 193.8 -3.2 2001 7190 180.2 20.8 572.5 183.9 -3.7 2002 12200 136.2 17.7 523.4 142.5 -6.3 2003 26900 131.3 18.7 459.0 132.5 -1.2 2004 12200 134.1 18.3 446.6 136.3 -2.2 2005 13500 157.0 16.2 583.9 165.4 -8.4 2006 14400 137.6 11.6 522.8 138.0 -0.4 MEAN 15100 175.1 15.7 591.5 178.9 -3.4

Table 8 Descriptions of electrofishing (EL) and seining (SN) sites at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006.

SITE LOCATION SSES (Control)

EL-1 East bank, 426 feet upriver.from gas-line crossing to 1,082 feet upriver from a point opposite the center of the Susquehanna SES intake structure EL-2 West bank from gas-line crossing to a point 820 feet upriver from the center of the Susquehanna SES intake structure SN-1 East bank, 1,837 feet upriver from a point opposite the center of the Susquehanna SES intake structure (33 feet upriver from the mouth of Little Wapwallopen Creek)

SN-2 West bank, 1,312 feet upriver from the center of the Susquehanna SES intake structure (328 feet downriver from the boat dock at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory)

BELL BEND (Indicator)

EL-3 East bank, 1,279 feet downriver from a point opposite the Susquehanna SES intake structure to a point 1,640 feet upriver from the mouth of Wapwallopen Creek EL-4 West bank, 1,246 feet downriver from the Susquehanna SES intake structure (558 feet downriver from the discharge diffuser) to a point near the southeastern boundary of PPL's Wetlands Nature Area SN-3 East bank, 8,528 feet (1.6 miles) downriver from a point opposite the Susquehanna SES intake structure, at the launching ramp of the Berwick Boat Club SN-4 West bank, 4,264 feet (0.8 miles) downriver from the Susquehanna SES intake structure, near the southeastern boundary of PPL's Wetlands Nature Area

- 255-Table 9 Fish species that were observed while electrofishing or collected by seining at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006. Names of fishes and order of listing conform to Nelson et al. (2004).

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Herrings Clupeidae Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Carps and Minnows Cyprinidae Spotfin shiner Cyprinella spiloptera Common carp Cyprinus carpio River chub Nocomis micropogon Spottail shiner Notropis hudsonius Bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus Fallfish Semotilus corporalis Suckers Catostomidae Quillback Carpiodes cyprinus White sucker Catostomus commersonii Northern hog sucker Hypentelium nigricans Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum North American Catfishes. Ictaluridae Yellow bullhead Arneiurus natalis Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Pikes Esocidae Northern pike Esox lucius Muskellunge Esox masquinongy Sunfishes Centrarchidae Rock bass Ambloplites rupestris Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Perches Percidae Tessellated darter Etheostoma olmstedi Walleye Sander vitreus

Table 10 at SSES on the Susquehanna River, 2006.

Number, mean, and percent total of fish observed while electrofishing 26 Oct OVERALL 31 May . 25 Jul SPECIES East West Mean % Total Mean % Total East West Mean % Total East West -Mean % Total 0,0 .0 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 1 0 0.5 0.8 0 0 0.0 Gizzard shad 1.3 3.3 2 0 1.0 313 1 0 0.5 2.1 Common carp 2 3 2;5 3.8 0,0 1 0. 0.5 2.1 0.2 0.4 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 Fallfish 2.1 0.5 1.6 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.8 4 0 2.0 3.1 0 1 Quillback 0.7 1.7 1 0 0.5 1,6 0 2 1.0 4.2 White sucker 1 0 0.5 0.8 11.5 0 0 0.0 0.0 3.8 9.6 15 1 8.0 12.2 7 0 3.5 Northern hog sucker 3.7 9.2 8 3 . 5.5 18.0 8 0 4.0 16.7 Shorthead redhorse 1 2 1.5 2.3 .

0,0 6 0 3.0 12.5 2.7 6.7 6 4 5.0 7.6 0 0 0.0 Channel catfish 0.3 0.8 1 0 0.5 1.6. 1 0 0.5 2.1 Northern pike 0 0 0.0 0.0 .

0,0 1 0 0.5 2.1 0.5 1.3 2 0 1.0 1.5 0 0 0.0 Muskellunge .0.0 0.2 0.4 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 Pike spp. 1 0 0.5 0.8 3.3 0 0 0.0 0.0 1.8 4.6 7 2 4.5 6.9 .2 0 1.0 Rock bass 0.0 0.2 0.4 0 0 0.0. 0,0 0 0 0.0 Redbreast sunfish 1 0 0.5 0.8 0.0 0 1 0.5 . 2.1. 0.2 0.4 0 0 0.0 0:0 0 0 0.0 Bluegill 10.2 25.4 17 8 12.5 41.0 9 5 7.0 29.2 Smallmouth bass 15 7 11.0 16.8 0 0 .0.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0 1 0.5 0.8 0 0 0.0 0.0 0

Sunfish spp. 7.7 19.2 5 0 2.5 82 5 5 5.0 20.8 Walleye 10 21 15.5 23.7 3 0 1.5 6.3 5.5 13.8 9 12.0. 18.3 4 2 3.0 9.8 Fish (unidentified) 15 35 13 24.0 40.0 81 50 65.5 47 14 30.5 TOTAL O

Table 11 Susquehanna River, 2006.

Number, mean, and percent total of fish observed while electrofishing at Bell Bend on the 25 Jul 26 Oct OVERALL SPECIES 31 May East West Mean % Total East West Mean % Total Mean % Total East West Mean % Total 0 0.0 0.0 1 0 0.5 2.0 0.2 0..3 Gizzard shad 0 0 0.0 .0.0 0 2 3.0 7.3 4 4 . 4.0 15.7 2.8 5.8 Common carp 3 0 1.5 1.9 4 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 River chub 1 0 0.5 0.6 0 2 2.5 6.1 2 0 1.0 3.9 1.3 2.7 Quillback 1 0 0.5 0.6 3 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 White sucker 1 0 0.5 0.6 0 2 1.5 3.7 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.4 Northern hog sucker 1 0 0.5 0.6 1 4 2.5 6.1 2 0 1.0 3.9 1.5 3.1 Shorthead redhorse 2 0 1.0 1.3 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 1 0 0.5 2.0 0.3 .0.7 Sucker spp. 1 0 0.5 0.6 0 0.0 0.0 2 0 1.0 3.9 2.3 4.8 Channel catfish 8 4 6.0 7.5 0 0 0.0 0.0 2 1 1.5 5.9 0.5 1.0 Muskellunge 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 1 1.5 3.7 0 0 0.0 0.0 1.8 3.8 Rock bass 2 6 4.0 5.0 2 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 Redbreast sunfish 1 1 1.0 1.3 0 0.0 0.0. 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 Green sunfish 0 1 0.5 0.6 0 2 1.5 3.7 0. 0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.4 Bluegill 0 1 0.5 0.6 1 28 21.5 52.4 9 6 7.5 29.4 20.3 41.6 Smallmouth bass 45 19 32.0 40.0 15 0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 N' 0 1.0 1.3 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 Sunfish spp. 2 4 3.0 7.3. 6 8 7.0 27.5 10.0 20.5 Walleye 24 16 20.0 25.0 2 5 4.0 9.8 3 0 1.5 5.9. 5.2 10.6 Fish (unidentified) 11 .9 10.0 12.5 3.

32 50 41.0 32 19 25.5 48.8 TOTAL 103 57 80.0

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Table 12 Number,. mean, and percent total of fish captured by seining at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006.

SPECIES " 23 Aug 11 Oct OVERALL East West *Mean  % Total East West Mean  % Total Mean % Total SSES Spotfin shiner 28 31 29.5 69.4 42 15 28.5 60.6 29.0 64.8 Spottail shiner 1 20 10.5 24.7 11 20 15.5 33.0 13.0 29.1 Fallfish 0 0 0.0 0.0 1 0 0.5 1.1 0.3 0.6 Redbreast sunfish 1 1 1.0 2.4 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.1 Bluegill 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 3 1.5 3.2 0.8 1.7 Smallmouth bass 1 0 0.5 1.2 0 . 0 0.0 -0.0 0.3 0.6 Black crappie .0 0 0.0 0.0 0 2 .1.0 2.1 0.5 1.1 Tessellated darter 1 1 1.0 2.4 0 0 0.0 0.0 *0.5 1.1 TOTAL 32 53 42.5 54 40 47.0 44.8 BELL BEND Spotfin shiner 36 30 33.0 85.7 136 41 88.5 42.8 60.8 49.5 Spottail shiner 10 1 5.5 14.3 221 13 117.0 56.5 61.3 49.9 Bluntnose minnow 0 0 0.0

• 0.0 1 0 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 Yellow bullhead 0 0 .0.0 0.0 0 1 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 Smallmouth bass 0 0 0.0 0.0 1 0 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 TOTAL 46 31 38:5 359 55 207.0 122.8

Table 13 P-values for fish species deemed significant by the BACI analysis, 1976-2006 (a = 0.05). Columns depict the p-values associated with the four temporal categories of data analyzed; All Data represents all months sampled, Summer Data denotes samples collected from June through October; annual dates represent the beginning operation of SSES (ns indicates that a species was not significant in that data set).

ALL DATA SUMMER ALL DATA SUMMER SPECIES DATA DATA 1982 1982 1985 1985 Quillback 0.015 0.005 0.021 0.004 White sucker 0.029 ns 0.027 ns Northern hog sucker 0.002 0.020 0.007 0.038 Shorthead redhorse <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Brown bullhead* 0.005 0.046 0.015 0.067 Muskellunge <0.001 0.006 0.003 0.006 Rock bass 0.005 0.017 0.002 0.012 Smallmouth bass 0.065 0.004 0.065 0.005 Unidentified fish 0.017 <0.001 0.023 0.002

• Brown bullhead numbers increased at Bell Bend relative to those collected at SSES.

GAS-LINE CROSSING SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION SPRAY POND

• • ,O.,,,... ~...

EL- 2 SUSQUEHANNA SES 0 ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY - SSES (CONTROL)

SN-2 LITTLE COOLING CREEK TOWERS NORTH SAMPLING SITES

- ELECTROFISHING

• . SEINING 0 WATER QUALITY EEL WALLS EL-0 984 FEET SN-4 -BELL BEND (INDICATOR)

WAPWALLOPEN CREEK SN-3 Fig. 1 Sampling sites for water quality, electrofishing (EL), and seining (SN) at SSES and Bell Bend on the Susquehanna River, 2006.

55- RIVER FLOW = 12006 45 - - 1961-2005 35 -

C x(n 4-. 25 -

0 15 -

10 -

5 0

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. 2 The 2006 monthly mean flow of the Susquehanna River at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory compared to the forty-five year (1961-2005) mean. The means were calculated from U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Laboratory data.

8 RIVER VOLUME 7

6 0

x 5 0

4 3

2 1961 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 2006 Fig. 3 Volume of Susquehanna River flow at the Susquehanna SES Environmental Laboratory, 1961-2006. The volumes were calculated from U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Laboratory data.

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400 0 E 350 0 0

M) 300 -ý 0

• 0 250-0 200-y = 1.0683x - 9.0134 150-0 W = 0.994 100-50 1- I 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 SSES Total Mineral Solids (mg/L)

Fig. 4 Linear regression analysis of total mineral solids measurements at SSES vs. Bell Bend (BB) on the Susquehanna River, 1991-2006.

400

) 350 "

300 S ,R= y 2439.1X- 295 2

~250 'b)]8 0.82 200 " .I g*o ser.1 .f.. .

c')w 100 6 U) 50 400 E35009 300EY

2808."1X' 3094 no300 0

0.84 08 cn 250 200 S150 g, 0100 m 50 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 River Flow (cfs)

Fig. 5 Negative curvilinear relationships between river flow and measurements of total mineral solids at SSES and Bell Bend (BB) on the Susquehanna River, 1991-2006.